WHO IS THE MANCHILD IN REVELATION 12?
In I Corinthians 13 Paul writes “that a when I was a child I spake as a child: but when I became a man I put away childish things.” In this passage Paul is using the concepts of childhood and manhood to speak about spiritual maturity. Indeed, the verse preceding this passage states “When that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away.” Most Christians today believe “that which is perfect” refers to the second coming of Christ. However, this concept is relatively new. That is, throughout most of Christendom until about 1860 this reference of perfection had more to do with the spiritual state of an individual while they were alive. For example, Saints were canonized by the Roman Catholic Church when a level of spiritual perfection was posthumously determined. In Protestant circles dominated by Puritans, early Methodists and converts from the first or second great awakening perfection more often referred to a second work of grace where the appetites and desires for sin were crucified once and for all. But the context of this chapter adequately defines this notion of perfection that is neither Catholic nor Protestant in the aforementioned terms. Essentially Paul is letting these carnal Christians know that even if they had great miraculous gifts and even if they were martyred, without LOVE they would be spiritually bankrupt.
In this case Paul’s use of “child” refers to a believer who is immature in the faith and is not well grounded. In the same sense Paul refers to a “man” as someone who was achieved a degree of maturity and is no longer influenced by the things of the world, the flesh or the devil. But this maturity or perfection is not just the absence of negative attributes that characterizes spiritual manhood. Paul also reports that the Fruits of the Spirit, and particularly, LOVE is not only the primary indicator of Christian maturity but also the evidence of Christian perfection.
However, in Revelation 12 we see that John has combined these same two concepts, manhood and childhood, but in an altogether different context. Here he refers to a group of believers who are collectively known as the Manchild. What is also apparent is that this Manchild is gifted and anointed by God. Indeed, immediately upon birth the Manchild is caught up to God and to his throne and yet at the same time “they loved not their lives unto death.” Although they are continually in the presence of God their mortal bodies are vulnerable to death.
Who is this Manchild? In one sense this becomes a relevant question in the light of current and unprecedented worldwide persecution and martyrdom of Christians. But the question about the identity of the Manchild is probably broader in scope than current events. This is because the very concept of a “Manchild” is an oxymoron or a contradiction. Consider for a moment the embodiment of Christ-like attributes or even unity with God in a collective that is corporately like a child? When we reflect on Christ’s dedication to purpose, commitment to His heavenly calling and His unwavering desire to follow the Father’s command, even to the point of tasting death and hell, childhood does not readily come to mind. Equally enigmatic are the other primary characters described in Revelation 12. These include the Woman who delivers the Manchild and the Dragon who seeks to devour the Manchild upon birth.
First it should be acknowledged that the identity of the Manchild is controversial. Not all believers agree. However, as scripture tends to interpret itself, then clues to the identity of Manchild are probably replete in type and shadow throughout scripture. A brief examination of Biblical children with anointed power should help us answer this question. Indeed, throughout the pages of the Bible there is a seemingly endless series of stories about couples and circumstances around the birth of their gifted or anointed offspring. A surface read of the book of Genesis gives an account of numerous couples, and in most cases, the unusual or peculiar circumstances that surround the birth of their son or sons.
To Adam and Eve were born Cain and Abel. But we read in Genesis 4 that Cain killed his brother Abel because God favored Abel’s offering, the blood sacrifice of an innocent newborn lamb over Cain’s sacrifice, the fruit of the ground or the fruit of his labor. To the believer the symbolism is obvious. Abel’s lamb is a type and shadow of Christ, called the Lamb of God in the gospels, while Cain’s offering represents those who seek to earn God’s favor by their own labor or by keeping the law. Moreover, after his death we read that Abel’s blood cried from the ground. Many have suggested that this reflects the eternal intercessory power of Christ’s blood. But obvious flaws are associated with this interpretation. Adam was created by God and was therefore called “the son of God.” Hence if Adam was murdered this interpretation might have merit. But when we consider that Abel was born of woman, the story holds more weight as a foreshadowing of the Manchild who was also born of “the Woman.”
In the apocryphal Book of Enoch (which was quoted by Jude and Jesus) we read of the birth of Noah who was thought by his father Lamech to be the offspring of Lamech’s wife and a fallen angel – because light could be visibly seen emanating from him when he entered a dark room. As a result Lamech contemplated taking the life of Noah. However, in the book, Enoch descends from his heavenly estate to reveal to Lamech that Noah is indeed Lamech’s son and that this young child, Noah has been chosen and anointed by God to save mankind. In reading the text one comes to realize that the phenomenon of light that surrounded Noah was the Shekinah Glory of God. This account of the infant Noah would therefore seem to be an appropriate prototype for both the birth of Christ and the birth of the Manchild. The lives of all 3 were threatened immediately after birth and all 3 survived following divine interventions. However, because Jesus said “as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the days of the coming of the son of man,” the Manchild Company correlates more closely with the infant Noah as both appear during an apocalyptic event. Moreover, since the Book of Enoch is not cannon of scripture, this example for some might not be relevant or accepted.
Thereafter, many other stories of phenomenal children are recorded in the Bible or other ancient related works. Eventually, the avid Bible reader comes to realize that childbirth is no doubt one of the major themes of the Hebrew covenant, and indeed the entire Bible. To Isaac and Rebekah were born twins, Esau first then Jacob (Gen. 25: 23-26). The story of these brothers and their relationship to God, to their parents and to each other makes for fascinating reading. This is because eventually the family inheritance and blessing goes to Jacob who, because he was younger would not typically become the rightful heir. Ultimately Jacob’s name, meaning jackal or supplanter is changed to Israel, which means “the redeemed of the Lord “after several unexpected divine encounters (Gen. 35:10). Again we find another story that suggests God’s favor is not dependent on merit or natural selection. Additionally, a distinct difference between the younger and the older is described in detail. Like Jacob, it is almost unnatural or unthinkable to consider that the blessing would go to a Manchild, which sounds a bit like an immature man.
In First Samuel, chapters 1 and 2 we read that after seeking the Lord for years Hanna was finally fruitful, giving birth. In return and with thanksgiving she presents her long awaited son, rendering him to the service of the Lord by relinquishing him to serve Levitical priests and to duties of the tabernacle. Her son became the mighty prophet Samuel who would anointed Saul, and later, David as King over Israel. Again a strong correlation is obvious. Like Samuel who was promised to the Lord at birth, the Manchild is caught up to God and to His throne immediately after birth. This differs from Christ who began his public ministry at the age of 30.
We could also easily correlate the Manchild to David the shepherd boy who slew the giant Goliath. Later, following the illicit affair between King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was born. In a strange twist of events Solomon unexpectedly became heir to the throne of David despite the fact that he was one of David’s youngest children. Moreover, the Lord gave Solomon permission to build the temple in Jerusalem. During Solomon’s dedication of the temple we read that fire fell from heaven and publically consumed 144,000 sacrifices before all Israel (2 Chron. 7:1). Again this is noteworthy as “the 144,000” is designated as a significant number in the Book of Revelation. In chapter 7 this number is associated with the 12 tribes of Israel (12,000 from each tribe) “who have come out of the Great Tribulation… and their robes are washed white in the blood of the Lamb.” However, in Chapter 14 the same number is associates with “the Redeemed of the Lord who originate from every nation, kindred, tongue and people from the entire earth.” Once again, those first chosen by the Lord, known as Israelites, receive not the promise of Christ. Instead the unexpected Gentiles or the younger or most recent converts who are added to the household of faith are the first to receive the promised Messiah.
The books of Kings and Chronicles provide us with what seems like endless genealogies of who begat who. Particular attention is often provided regarding the birth of Kings. In some cases, details are provided regarding their reign as well as the degree of their obedience to God. However, in the case of some kings it would appear that their only significance was the fact that they gave birth to their successor. Since we are focused on divinely anointed and appointed children, two young kings in particular are noteworthy. We read in II Chronicles 24 how Joash began his reign at the age of 7 and it was said of him that he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. Moreover, in II King 23 we read that Josiah began his reign at age 8 and was credited with consolidating many Hebrew texts and removing idols of Baal. In both cases the concept of a spiritually mature child or Manchild is reintroduced to our consciousness and is perhaps a foreshadowing of things not seen as yet.
Of all the stories in the Bible that provide details around the birth of a son there are 3 that stand out as unique and vastly different from the rest. And though the Bible provides an account of many sons born under miraculous circumstances, the birthing of THREE SONS in particular goes far beyond the realm of the miraculous. Indeed the birthings of these 3 specific sons carry the promise of UNIVERSAL AND ETERNAL significance. The story of these three families and their promised son that stand out head and shoulders above all other stories in the Bible are:
1) ABRAHAM AND SARAH, AND THEIR SON ISAAC:
GOD SPEAKING TO ABRAHAM “AND IN THY SEED SHALL ALL THE NATIONS OF THE EARTH BE BLESSED” (GEN. 22: 18). “BY FAITH HE SOJOURNED IN THE LAND OF PROMISE AS IN A STRANGE COUNTRY DWELLING IN TABERNACLES WITH ISAAC AND JACOB, THE HEIRS WITH HIM OF THE SAME PROMISE FOR HE LOOKED FOR A CITY THAT HATH FOUNDATIONS WHOSE BUILDER AND MAKER IS GOD. THROUGH FAITH ALSO SARAH HERSELF RECEIVES STRENGTH TO CONCEIVE SEED, AND WAS DELIVERED OF A CHILD WHEN SHE WAS PAST AGE, BECAUSE SHE JUST HIM FAITHFUL WHO HAD PROMISED. THEREFORE, SPRANG THERE EVEN OF ONE, AND HIM AS GOOD AS DEAD, SO MANY AS THE STARS OF THE SKY IN MULTITUDE, AND AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE INNUMERABLE. BY FAITH, ABRAHAM WHEN HE WAS TRIED OFFERED UP ISAAC AND HE THAT HAD RECEIVED THE PROMISES OFFERED UP HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, OF WHOM IT WAS SAID THAT IN ISAAC SHALL THY SEED BE CALLED, ACCOUNTING THAT GOD WAS ABLE TO RAISE HIM UP, EVEN FROM THE DEAD, FROM WHENCE ALSO HE RECEIVE HIM IN A FIGURE” (HEB. 11:9-12, 17-19).
2) THE BIRTH OF JESUS TO THE VIRGIN MARY:
BEHOLD, A VIRGIN SHALL CONCEIVE AND BEAR A SON, AND SHALL CALL HIS NAME IMMANUEL (GOD WITH US)” (ISAIAH 7:14). “FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN, TO US SON IS GIVEN, AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE UPON HIS SHOULDERS. AND HE BE CALLED WONDERFUL, COUNSELOR, THE MIGHTY GOD, THE EVERLASTING FATHER, THE PRINCE OF PEACE” (ISAIAH 9:6). “AND THERE WERE IN THE SAME COUNTRY SHEPHERDS ABIDING IN THE FIELD KEEPING WATCH OVER THEIR FLOCK BY NIGHT. AND LO, THE ANGEL OF THE LORD CAME UPON THEM, AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHONE ROUND ABOUT THEM; AND THEY WERE SORE AFRAID. AND THE ANGEL SAID UNTO THEM, FEAR NOT: FOR BEHOLD, I BRING YOU TIDINGS OF GREAT JOY, WHICH SHALL BE TO ALL PEOPLE. FOR UNTO YOU IS BORN THIS DAY IN THE CITY OF DAVID A SAVIOR, WHICH IS CHRIST THE LORD… AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS WITH THE ANGEL A MULTITUDE OF THE HEAVENLY HOST PRAISING GOD AND SAYING, GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST, AND ON EARTH PEACE, GOOD WILL TOWARD MEN” (LUKE 2: 8-14).
3) THE BIRTH OF THE MANCHILD IN REVELATION 12:
“THE WOLF ALSO SHALL DWELL WITH THE LAMB, AND THE LEOPARD SHALL LIE DOWN WITH THE KID; AND THE CALF AND THE YOUNG LION AND FATLING TOGETHER; AND A LITTLE CHILD SHALL LEAD THEM” (ISAIAH 11:6). “AND THERE APPEARED ANOTHER WONDER IN HEAVEN; AND BEHOLD A GREAT RED DRAGON HAVING SEVEN HEADS AND 10 HORNS AND SEVEN CROWNS UPON HIS HEADS. AND HIS TAIL DREW THE THIRD PART OF THE STARS OF HEAVEN, AND DID CAST THEM TO THE EARTH: AND THE DRAGON STOOD BEFORE THE WOMAN WHICH WAS READY TO BE DELIVERED FOR TO DEVOUR HER CHILD AS SOON AS IT WAS BORN. AND SHE BROUGHT FORTH A MANCHILD, WHO WAS TO RULE ALL NATIONS WITH A ROD OF IRON: AND HER CHILD WAS CAUGHT UP UNTO GOD, AND TO HIS THRONE. AND THE WOMAN FLED INTO THE WILDERNESS, WHERE SHE HAD A PLACE PREPARED OF GOD THAT THEY SHOULD FEED HER THERE 1200 AND THREESCORE DAYS” (REV. 12:1-6).
Most believers are well acquainted with the stories of the first 2 couples and their son of promise, but again we ask, who is this Manchild and what are His parent’s names? Many believe the Manchild is a description of Christ and His coming “millennial reign.” This is understandable when we consider that both Mary and the Woman take refuse shortly after giving birth and both are pursued for a specified period of time by evil forces aimed at annihilation. However, the description of this 3rd enigmatic child of promise in Revelation 12 does not quite fit with what we know of Jesus at his return. A little child or Manchild that shall lead as the great peacemaker between lion and lamb does not exactly fit with the Lion of Judah that returns with fiery vengeance.
Further distinctions regarding the Manchild are also supported in Revelation 12 where the mother of this new born is discussed. In this passage we note that “The Woman” or mother of the Manchild bears no obvious resemblance to Sarah or Mary. If the Manchild represented Jews converted during the Great Tribulation then we might have expected the mother to be described like Sarah, that is, beyond the age to conceive. Or if the Manchild was a symbolic or hidden message meant to reveal Jesus of Nazareth in cryptic language to an early persecuted church then we might expect the Woman to be described as a virgin. The absence of these essential descriptors is highly suggestive that the Manchild represents another group altogether. Reading from the beginning: “And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of 12 stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered” (Rev. 12:1-2).
Instead, this Manchild description strongly correlates to the “Manifested Sons of God” described in Romans 8. Indeed we read that “the whole creation groans and travails in pain for the manifestation of the Sons of God. Please note that this manifestation in Romans is described in “birthing terms,” groaning and travailing much like the passage in Revelation 12. And if the Manchild equates to Sons of God, it would of necessity have to be both a single entity and, at the same time, a multitude. Is a corporate entity a valid or scriptural concept? Indeed it is, for this is exactly what Jesus prayed in John 17:21, for believers in his generation and future generations. “That they all may be one; as thou Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.” This is also verified directly in the passage in Revelation. Here “Manchild” is singular but later John reveals that THEY (plural) loved not their lives unto death. So we are compelled to ask who are the Sons of God, also known as the Manchild? “Now WE are the SONS OF GOD and it doth not yet appear what WE shall be but We know that when HE shall appear WE shall be like him for WE shall see HIM as HE is” (I Jn. 3:2). That means we shall be transfigured. This corruptible will put on incorruptible. And if All CREATION is awaiting the SONS OF GOD, then the concept of Jesus of Nazareth returning to set up His kingdom falls grossly short of God’s plan. How so? Recall on the cross He said, “It is Finished! Hence, a Body of Believers who are united under Christ, their divine head fulfills His promise to us: “God shall shortly bruise Satan under your feet” (Rom. 16:20).
Continuing in John 17:22 we read “And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them: that they may be one, even as we are one.” This further helps us understand the mystery, “all flesh shall see (Him) together” (Rev. 1:7 & Isa. 40:5), because “He shall come to be glorified in His saints” (2Thes. 1:10). It is easy to see how a worldwide simultaneous transfiguration of saints could best be described “as lightening that shines from the east to the west” (Matt. 24:27).
Unfortunately, not all who name the name of Christ or are “saved” will be a part of this transfiguration or manifestation. For we read in Matthew 25:1-13 that there were 5 foolish virgins who did not have enough oil when the time of the bridegroom approached. In fact the 5 wise virgins were unwilling to sell their oil to the 5 foolish. The oil was needed to provide fire to light the way during the midnight hour. Precious Spirit filled believer, as this era or Day of the Gentiles draws to a close (Matt. 24:14 & Rom. 11:25) and the sun sets into “gross darkness the people (Isa 60:2)” don’t be without the FIRE OF THE HOLY GHOST. You can’t get this power from other Spirit filled believers. Only Jesus can baptize you in the Fire of the Holy Ghost (Lk. 3:16).
Returning to Revelation 12 we also read that the dragon went to wage war with the Woman who had a place prepared for her in the wilderness. We may indeed rise TO MEET HIM IN THE AIR (1 Thes. 4:16-17), but the idea that we’re gone during some Great Tribulation is really not clearly indicated. Noah remained in the ark on the planet but was unaffected by the destruction of the planet’s surface. Peter reveals that once again at the Day of the Lord, the earth will again be destroyed, but this time by fire (2 Pet. 3:10). Upon reading Peter’s words one cannot help but be reminded of Daniel, chapter 3 in which the Fourth Man protected Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace . Perhaps a righteous remnant or Manchild Company will be unaffected by the coming apocalyptic fire.
Realize this, the birthing of the MANCHILD or THE MANIFESTATION OF THE SONS OF GOD means you are possessed by God. You are One with God as He prayed in John 17. What difference does it make if you are in some celestial mansion or on planet earth. You are in Jesus and Jesus is in you. You are transformed. This flimsy necessity of sequentially and chronologically dividing the Book of Revelation into time frames is really not in keeping with what we know about the Master. Allow me to provide an example. Recall He was crucified and rose in 3, or 3.5 days. And according to our reading of the text Jesus allegedly “went to Hell (Ps. 16:10), got the keys (Rev. 1:18), came back to earth in a transfigured body for 40 days (Acts 1:3), and now He lives forevermore to make intercession for us (Heb 7:25).” Right? Okay, then why did he say to the one next to him also being crucified, “This day you will be with me in paradise (Lk 23:43)?” How could He be with this man in paradise that day when Jesus had 3 days of work to do in hell? And indeed He did go to hell. Reading Psalms 16:10, “thou wilt not leave my soul in hell” confirms this as a destination for our Lord. Moreover, we read in 1 Peter 3:18 he preached to imprisoned spirits who were lost during the time of Noah. How then could he be with that man in paradise that day when he had to spend three days in hell and the grave? The answer is quite simple beloved. There is no time after the grave. God provides time-frames for us in this earthly realm to assist in our comprehension oh Him. How do we know this? Because the times and the seasons, which are measured by the sun, moon and stars were created by God. That is, by the Word of God, or by Jesus, time was created. “For by him (and for him) were all things created (Col. 1:16 & Prov. 16:4).” He is “the I AM (Ex. 3:14).” He is ever-present and always in the NOW. Let us no longer put God in a box and say… “then this will happen, then this, …then after that, this…but this has to happen first.” Believer, rid yourself of this kind of archaic thinking. God doesn’t live in a box or the Arc of the Covenant anymore. Understand that the Book of Revelation was given to those “that hath an ear to hear what the Spirit says… (Rev. 2:7, 17 &29, 3:22).” Hence the Book of Revelation is not meant to be read or understood on the basis of one’s intellect, but is spiritually discerned. It is intended to be reveals to spiritual ears and to be spiritually understood. Trying to figure out the Book of Revelation is futile and runs contrary to Christ’s instructions. Waste your time no more by reading Revelation as a series of chronological events and acknowledge that he is the I AM.
So let us go back to the Manchild or the Manifested Son of God. They are birthed from the bride of Christ, the Church and Fathered by the Holy Ghost: Paul writes, “For I have espoused you to one husband that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ (2Cor. 11:2),” ….“That he (Jesus) might be the first born among many brethren (Rom. 8:29).” The son of Isaac and his mother, Sarah are a type and shadow of the Manchild Company and the Woman. Abraham is a picture of God who knows a son of promise is on the way. Though centuries have passed, Sarah, like the Church, upon hearing that she will actually produce a son, laughs as though hearing an absurdity (Gen. 18:12). Indeed, most in churches would laugh and scorn if you or I proclaimed that a righteous remnant, possessed by Christ will come forth from the church system and set creation free. But in the same way Sarah’s faith was ignited when she believed (Heb 12:11), so too is there a remnant in the Church waking from their slumber and aware that something great is about to happen. Most believe this to be “the Rapture.” But beloved, God has not called us to escape but to OVERCOME (1Jn. 5:4 & 5, Rev. 2:7, 2:11, 2:17, 2:26, 3:5,3:12, 3:21, 21:7). Stop looking to the Nightly New and stop looking for a Rapture. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith (Heb. 12:2). Revelation depicts this Woman clothed with the sun. Hence her sins are blotted out or she is clothed with the Glory of God. The moon is under her feet. The moon has no life of it’s own but reflects the glory of the sun when it is darkest. This means she is crucified with Christ, and has no life; yet she lives and radiates the faith of the Son of God who gave His life for her (Gal. 2:20). Upon her head a crown of 12 stars. That is, she has been received apostolic teaching and authority. And though she does not know it, and perhaps she does not yet believe it, she is pregnant for the Corporate Christ or the First Fruits of the Spirit (Rom. 8:23). She is pregnant for Christ, the many membered body (1 Cor. 12:27). Allow me to provide an example.
Though Saul, whose name was later changed to Paul, persecuted the followers of Jesus and though he never met Jesus during His 33 years on earth, Jesus personally introduced himself to Paul. On the Road to Damascus Jesus appeared to Saul/Paul and asked, “Why persecutest thou me (Acts 9:4)?” Now consider this profound question for a moment and remember Saul had never met Jesus. In this question Jesus was revealing that those he persecuted were Jesus… “Insomuch as you have done it unto the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me (Matt. 25:40). No! This is not blasphemy. But this is your inheritance, like the well-known hymn, “Be thou my vision…Thou my inheritance now and always.” Jesus is your inheritance (Phil. 3:8). Though aspects of your inheritance may have been described to you as streets of gold, reunion with loved ones passed on, sinless perfection, escape from God’s wrath, or even planetary reign, they do not compare with your true inheritance, JESUS. Please know that you are called “to be conformed to His image (Rom. 8:29),” and “you are called to be ONE with Him (Jn. 17:21).” Blasphemy is where you decide you are Christ. However, it is quite a different thing for Christ to give you His name. “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named ( Eph. 3:14-15).” Indeed, it is quite common for a wife to take her husband’s name or for children to be identified by their father’s surname.
You and I are called to be part of this Manchild Company and you and I shall come forth on the earth at the midnight hour and subdue kingdoms. This Manchild Company are the meek that inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5). Prophesy is fulfilled as “a little child shall lead them (Isa. 11:6).” Jesus said “Unless you become as a little child you shall not inherit the kingdom (Matt. 18:3)” and “Suffer the little children to come unto me for of such is the kingdom of God (Matt. 19:4).” “Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings God has perfected praise (Matt. 21:16).” Now we finally understand what He meant. So in this process in which you are divested of the doctrines of man, you enter into God and boldly “are caught up to God and His throne (Rev 12:5).” Here you begin to realize perhaps for the first time that you are “BEING BORN AGAIN of an incorruptible seed (1Pet 1:23).” Indeed we are fitly framed together (Eph 2:21) to be manifested as the perfect man (Eph 4:13), the likes of which the world has never known; a Manchild that will set all creation free. That beloved, is “THE GOOD for which ALL thing work together (Rom 8:28).” Finally, too illustrate the Manchild Company allow me to repost a dream given to my daughter with the interpretation, which I believe was given to me by the Lord.
THE DREAM: “I was carelessly wandering a mountain top. I was humbly dressed and carrying a basket. Making my way down the mountain side I come upon a deer that did not move away as I drew near. I notice that the deer is wounded. As I get close I see unspeakable things. I get on my knees and pray for her but it appears she is eating her own hoof and leg to sustain her need for food. As I look at her entirely, her gut has been wrenched out and I realize her wounds (though unable to be mended) are the cause of her hunger. On all four with her- I sob, tears fall to the ground.”
INTERPRETATION GOD GAVE ME: It is a dream about the status of the reprobate church today. There is no manna, no quail. But they desire “strong meat that belongs to those of full age.” And since there is none because they have not seen the hope of their calling, that is they are unaware that they are called to be conformed to the image of Christ, they become like cannibals, eating on their own members. Gossiping, maligning, persecuting, they become gutless. They have no inner strength. Salvation preached to foreign nations is reduced to shoe boxes with gifts at Christmas time. There is no “deer panting for water, only the shell of what once could leap over hills and jump over walls, and now has developed a taste for blood, like vampires, or rodents that eat their young if no food is available. Peter and Jude write about them. They know scriptures and their own doctrines but they do not know Him, otherwise they would seek to be filled, healed, and delivered. They would seek to be broken by Him so as to be used in whatever capacity in which the Master has need. They would seek His Fire. THERE IS A NEWLY BORN AND INVINCIBLE REMNANT THAT LEAVES THE BARREN CHURCH IN THE WILDERNESS AND THIS MAN-CHILD COMPANY IS CAUGHT UP TO GOD AND TO HIS THRONE. The beast, that was once a deer is left to be trodden under foot for a time and times and half a time. Do not mourn endlessly for this beast but rejoice that God has called you easily maneuver Mount Zion so that you can see the status of the Wilderness-Church and that you are not a part of it. Though still dressed in sackcloth, that is, not yet transfigured; and though you have a near empty basket, it is capable of feeding 5000 at a time. You cry for her not because of her wounds, but because of her lack of faith – a faith that enables you to have vision for the invisible. Those tears that hit the ground are like the drops of blood that fell from His brow in Gethsemane. And like Abel’s blood, it cries from the ground even after you have departed, making intercession for those who were without the heavenly vision. You could not but help draw near because the love of the Father is in you to love all who name the name of Jesus.
Lastly, allow me to reiterate that most Christians consider the Manchild to be a symbolic representation of the nation of Israel, converted to Christ during the Great Tribulation. But this is pure conjecture on the part of those who espouse the doctrine of Escapism. Instead we see that the birthing of the Manchild from the church system marks the inevitable doom of Satan and his influence on mankind. This is the inheritance of all believers. “God shall shortly bruise Satan under your foot (Rom 16:20).” The remainder of the chapter provides us with these details or the activity occurring in the spirit realm from God’s perspective. “And there was war in heaven: Michael and his Angels fought against the Dragon; and the Dragon fought and his Angels, and prevailed not; neither was their place found anymore and heaven. And the great Dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the devil and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of the brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the “Blood of the Lamb,” and the “Word of their Testimony;” and they loved not their lives unto death (Rev 12:7-11).”
Precious believer, I pray that as darkness covers the earth, we die to our ambitions and self-desires. In doing so we will receive the brightness of His Glory and He shall He arise upon us. Plea the “blood of Jesus” over every circumstance and know “the word of our testimony.” That singular word of our testimony is of course, J E S U S.
God Bless You Precious Saints.
In the mighty name of Jesus of Nazareth,
Brother Jerry Turk
